Colin keeps on trucking to clock up a million miles

A local lorry driver has reached the million mile mark after more than 15 years working with a north Northumberland company.

It all began almost two decades ago when Colin Guthrie, from Ladykirk, was presented with a brand new, Scania P94 as he embarked on a career with BEDMAX Shavings founder, Tim Smalley.

Tim had been producing haylage at his family farm, Detchant, near Belford. Colin and his new truck were responsible for delivering it around the UK.

BEDMAX Shavings launched in 2000 after Tim recognised the effect bedding material had on the health and welfare of stabled horses.

Delivering BEDMAX shavings from Detchant, Colin has travelled the length and breadth of the UK.

Colin and his P94 reached the one million mile milestone on Monday, April 11, while travelling through Northumberland. Commenting on his achievement, Colin said: “I am extremely happy to have clocked one million miles! She has been a great truck for BEDMAX. She is driver friendly and performs as good as gold.

“We always have her serviced bang on the mileage and change filters as we should. The air compressor went once and other than that we’ve had no problems, the engine has never been stripped down, nor has the gearbox and she’s still got her original turbo.”

Colin added that he has no plans to slow down any time soon.

A former military man, Colin spent 22 years with the Gordon Highlanders, working his way through the ranks to Sergeant. In his time in the army, Colin served in Northern Ireland, Germany, Kenya, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. Before leaving the army, he worked as a vehicle tester. “I’ve got just about every type of license there is,” he says now.

“I think I was always cut out to work behind the wheel when I returned to civvy street.”

BEDMAX Shavings were the first dust free, tailor made bedding for horses produced in the UK. In 2008 the company were awarded a Royal Warrant from the Queen which they have held since. Today with three production plants and UK wide sales team, they are an industry market leader.

Tim Smalley, Managing Director of BEDMAX Shavings, said: “Colin’s achievement is testimony to the hard work and dedication he has shown over the last 19 years. This highlights just how much BEDMAX has grown since it was launched in 2000 and we hope that Colin, along with his truck, will remain part of the team for many years to come.”